The Gruffalo

The story of a brave mouse who relies on his wits for survival, inventing an imaginary monster to terrify his predators. But what happens when Mouse comes face to face with his own creation? Animated short.
[Premiered on BBC One, Christmas 2009. Rob Brydon, John Hurt, James Corden, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Tom Wilkinson]

Background.

The Gruffalo is a fast growing classic brand based on the best selling books written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Magic Light Pictures produced two award winning half hour animated films (The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child) and has launched a high quality merchandising programme which builds on the heritage of this special and much loved property.

Distributed on DVD in the UK by Entertainment One, and in the USA by N Circle

The Gruffalo

Film: The Gruffalo's Child

Synopsis
One wild and windy night, the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings and bravely tiptoes out into the snow in search of the Big Bad Mouse. She meets Snake, Owl and Fox but no sign of the fabled Mouse. He doesn’t really exist… or does he?

Creative details
Directed by Johannes Weiland and Uwe Heidschötter

Based on the best-selling children’s book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler

Gruffalo: Photo

Gruffalo: Photo is a safe activity app designed to get children having fun outdoors, inspiring them to explore the forests and green spaces around them.

Simple to use and specially developed to encourage creativity in children of all ages; take your very own stroll through the deep dark wood and keep a record of your adventures, maybe even get a #Gruffaloselfie!

Featured in The Observer’s Top 10 apps for kids that encourage real-world play the app is available now from the App Store, Google Play and Amazon.

Photograph your adventures using exclusive frames, you can even take a woodland selfie!

Customise photos with Gruffalo stickers and phrases!.

Packed with fun ideas for things to do!

Includes an interactive map to FREE Gruffalo’s Child Activity Trails.

Great parental features including photo save limits and a hidden delete function. All photos are stored on the app, not in the device’s gallery.

No way for kids to accidently tag, message or print photos – completely secure with no in app purchases.

Festivals

We are delighted that the films have been and continue to be warmly accepted into
festivals across the world.

The Gruffalo was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Animated Short Film category 2011, a BAFTA in 2010 and the prestigious Cartoon d’Or in 2011. It’s won various awards including the Cristal for Best Television Special at Annecy Animation Festival 2010.

The Gruffalo’s Child was nominated for a BAFTA in 2012 and won the Cristal for Best Television Special at Annecy Animation Festival 2012. If you are interested in screening either film please contact us.

Products

Magic Light has developed a high quality Gruffalo licensing programme which shares the charm and wit of the storybooks. The stylish merchandising collection is focused on engaging young imaginations, celebrating the power of storytelling and encouraging learning through imaginative play.

Working closely with licensing agent TLC, The Gruffalo programme has over 40 licensees. Launched in October 2009 our key UK retail partners are John Lewis, Sainsburys, Harrods, Waterstones, Debenhams and Mothercare/ELC, as well as over 200 independent toy and gifts stores nationwide.

The range is the winner of four Licensing Awards including ‘Best pre-school apparel’ for TU’s clothing range, winning consecutively 2011 & 2012, and a Henries Award.

The programme is building internationally with agents, licensees and distributors in Germany, Scandinavia, North America, Australia, South Africa and the Far East.

Over 1.5 million DVDs have been sold worldwide. Our current DVD partners include Entertainment One UK, France & Netherlands; Concorde Germany, NCircle North America; Roadshow Australia; Svensk, Scandinavia.

The films have also been successfully released internationally in cinemas with over 500,000 admissions in France, allowing families to enjoy the films on the big screen.
Our current theatrical partners include Picturehouse UK, Shorts international, USA and Les Films du Preau France.